Method and apparatus for applying frequency vibrations therapeutically

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying Frequency Vibrations of Sound and Light (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “FVSL”) to a user for the administration of therapeutic treatment including relaxation and other benefits.

[0001] This Application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/359,819, filed on Jul. 22, 1999, andentitled “Method and Apparatus for Applying Frequency VibrationsTherapeutically”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applyingFrequency Vibrations of Sound and Light (hereinafter sometimes referredto as “FVSL”) to a user for the administration of therapeutic treatmentincluding relaxation and other benefits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The therapeutic benefits of utilizing light, sound, color, smell,magnetic fields and vibration are known. Medical evidence indicates thatthe health of people may be affected by exposure to light. For example,a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder occurs during seasonalperiods of low light and is characterized by a depressed condition inthose people so affected.

[0004] It is also known that sound plays a substantial role in changesof pulse frequency, blood pressure, blood circulation, musclerelaxation, perspiration and oxygen consumption of a person. Previously,sound therapy has been applied to a user's ears and body, light has beenapplied to a user's eyes, and other stimuli have been combined to relaxa user. Further, it is well known that the different parts of the humanbrain are known to correspond to different parts of the body; forexample, the two hemispheres of the brain are known to correspond todifferent sides of the body. It would be advantageous over the prior artto stimulate the user's brain through the application of soundspecifically and independently directed to the right and left sides ofthe user's body along with the application of the sound to the user'sears and light to the user's eyes.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide betterstimulation to a user's mind and body using acoustic vibrations, alsoknown as sound, directed to the right and left sides of the human bodyand to provide a substantially dark space to the user's eyes whichincludes at least one light source for controlling light to the user'seyes. Certain forms of the enclosure can also act as a sound reflectorto direct acoustic vibrations to the skin and ears of the user.

[0006] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus forapplying Frequency Vibrations of Sound and Light to a user's body andeyes to facilitate physiological and psychological benefits to the usersuch as relaxation, and especially the application of acousticvibrations from separate transducers to the right and left side of auser's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with this invention, a method and apparatus forapplying Frequency Vibrations of Sound and Light to a user using atherapeutic light and sound system are disclosed.

[0008] The therapeutic light and sound system comprises a supportstructure having a longitudinal centerline, a top side, and a bottomside for supporting a user; at least two transducers arranged onopposite sides of the longitudinal centerline for producing acousticalvibrations substantially directed to the right side and left side of theuser, respectively; an enclosure module for forming a substantially darkspace for the user's eyes, and at least one light source coupled to thesubstantially dark space for transmitting light to the user's eyes.Preferably, the therapeutic light and sound system further comprise amat placed on the top side of the support structure for cushioning theuser and transmitting the acoustical waves to the right side and leftside of the user's body. The invention may also include a soundgenerator for actuating the transducers.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention relates to a therapeutic lightand sound system comprising a support structure including: a top sidefor supporting a user, the user having a right side and a left side; atleast one right transducer arranged on the support structure fortransmitting acoustic vibrations to the right side of the user; at leastone left transducer arranged on the support structure for transmittingacoustic vibrations to the left side of the user; an enclosure modulefor forming a substantially dark space for the user's eyes; and at leastone selectively energized light source coupled to the substantially darkspace for transmitting light to the user's eyes.

[0010] The method of therapeutic treatment using light and soundcomprises the steps of: supporting a user on a support structure havinga top side and including at least one right transducer arranged belowthe user's body corresponding to the user's right side and having atleast one left transducer arranged below the user's body correspondingto the user's left side; transmitting acoustical vibrations from righttransducers substantially to the right side of the user's body andtransmitting acoustical vibrations from the left transducerssubstantially to the left side of the user's body; providing anenclosure module for forming a substantially dark space for the user'seyes; and coupling at least one selectively energized light source tothe substantially dark space for transmitting light to user's eyes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will be more readily understood from a non-limitingdescription of a preferred embodiment that follows and from thediagrammatic figure of the drawings.

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a non-limiting diagram illustrating the system in apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 2 is a non-limiting diagram showing a cross-sectional view ina preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic diagram forone embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, theembodiment of the therapeutic light and sound system has a support 10comprising a longitudinal centerline 12, a top side 14, and a bottomside 16. The support 10 should be large enough to support the user andof sufficient strength to remain substantially rigid when subjected tothe user's weight. Examples of materials that can be used for thesupport include, but are not limited to, wood, sound board, plywood,particle board, composite insulation board, plastic, glass, Plexiglas,fiberglass, metal, stone, marble, etc. Preferably the support materialwould provide a sound insulation or a sound insulating material thatcould be attached to the support material. Also, the supporting materialwould preferably be substantially opaque to light transmission or couldbe covered with a light absorbing material. For example, the supportingmaterial could be substantially opaque, painted or covered with a lightabsorbing material.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support10 includes at least one supporting member 19. For example, thesupporting member may be a single solid base or column. In a morepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the support 10 includesat least two supporting members. In a most preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the support 10 includes at least four supportingmembers. For example, FIG. 1 shows the best mode including foursupporting members 19 on movable wheels.

[0017] The support 10 further includes at least two transducers 20arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline 12. Thelongitudinal centerline as defined for the purposes of this inventioncorresponds to the right and left sides of a user which may or may notcorrespond to the exact centerline of support. The transducerscorresponding to the right side of the user are also known as the righttransducers and the transducers corresponding to the left side of theuser are also known as the left transducers.

[0018] Each transducer emits acoustic vibrations about the range ofhuman auditory response. Light and sound vibrations can be defined byeither the frequency or wavelength. Preferably the sound frequency rangeproduced is from about 10 Hz to about 25,000 Hz, and more preferablysound frequency is from about 30 Hz to about 20,000 Hz. The transducersare also known as speakers. For example, individual speakers may be fullrange speakers or may produce frequencies of a limited range. Thetransducers are preferably electromechanical in nature. Limited rangespeakers are sometimes referred to as sub-woofers, woofers, mid-rangeand tweeters.

[0019] The transducers 20 on the opposite sides of the longitudinalcenterline 12 are preferably separated by an attenuating barrier 22placed between the transducers. The transducers may be placed in groupsor placed individually. Preferably, at least one attenuating barrier isprovided to reduce transmission of acoustical waves between thetransducers on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline. Morepreferably, attenuating barriers are also placed between groups of orbetween individual transducers on the same side. Most preferably, anattenuating housing 24 can be formed by fully enclosing the transducers,either in groups or individually, by using attenuating barriers 22. Forexample, FIG. 1 shows eighteen transducers 20 grouped in six sets ofthree attached to the bottom side of the support 10. The groups of threetransducers 20 are separated by attenuating barriers 22 which, in thedisclosed embodiment, form attenuating housings 24.

[0020] The transducers 20 may be placed either above, below or mountedwithin the support 10. preferably, the transducers 20 are attached tothe support 10. The transducers 20 may be either attached to the topside 14, the bottom side 16 or set within the body of the support. Ifthe transducers 20 are attached to the bottom of the support, then anacoustical transmitter 26 must be used if the support does notsubstantially transmit the acoustic vibrations. Such an acousticaltransmitter; for example, may be a plurality of holes in the support, asingle opening in the support, or some frequency transmitting materialin the support corresponding to the transducers.

[0021] One example of the acoustical transmitter 26 may be an opening orholes that correspond to the removal of material in any shape andextending from the bottom side 16 of the support to the to side 14 ofthe support that allow for the transmission of the acoustic vibrations.For example the openings or holes may remove material in the shapes ofcubes, parallel pipeds, spheres, pyramids, cones, cylinders, etc.Preferably, the opening or holes are cylindrically shaped. A second typeof acoustical transmitter may be a frequency transmitting material thatmay replace the opening or holes to allow for the transmission of theacoustic vibrations.

[0022] An enclosure module is required to create a substantially darkspace at least around the user's eyes. In the preferred embodiment shownin FIG. 1, an enclosure module 40, of any suitable shape, with the topside 16 of the support 10 acting as the base, forms a substantially darkspace 45 such that the substantially dark space 45 is sufficiently largeenough to accommodate a user. In one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the enclosure module 40 would provide some sound insulation,or some sound insulating material could be attached to the inside oroutside of the enclosure module 40. In another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the enclosure module 40 could be covered with alight absorbing material, and more preferably, the enclosure module 40would be substantially opaque to light transmission. For example, theenclosure module 40 could be substantially opaque, or painted or coveredwith a light absorbing material. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the enclosure module 40 may be of any size but preferably thesubstantially dark space 45 is of sufficient size to enclose the user.Examples of enclosure modules that can form a substantially dark spaceinclude light excluding eye goggles or rooms from which light can besubstantially excluded.

[0023] In FIG. 1, the enclosure module 40 is made of wood and has a top50, a back 60, a first 70, a second side 80, and a front 90. Access tothe interior of the substantially dark space 45, shown in FIG. 1, isthrough at least one access port. For example, in FIG. 1 the front 90and the top 50 are connected with hinges 92 that allow the front 90 tobe pivotally lifted using handle 94 thereby forming an access port forthe user. Other access ports may be created in the enclosure module 40,the support 10, or in combination of the enclosure module 40 and support10. Optionally, a communication system is available so the user maycommunicate with a person outside the system.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 1, a second access port in the first side 70 having hinges 74 and ahandle 72 is shown. The second access port shown in FIG. 1 may also beused to communicate with the user while maintaining the substantiallydark space (i.e., a communication system) by opening the second accessport slightly. Other examples of mechanical and electrical methods ofcommunication systems are available, such as two-way intercoms, etc.

[0025] The substantially dark space 45 includes at least one selectivelyenergized light source 100. The light source or sources may be any sortof illuminating device including, but not limited to, incandescentbulbs, fluorescent lights or display terminals or combinations thereof.The light source 100 may be a white light source to simulate sunlight.Alternatively, the light source or sources may produce colored light bythe light source itself or by using a color filter. FIG. 1 shows eightlight sources 100 a and 100 b attached to the top 50. Preferably, thelights are enclosed in a multiple-sided mirrored reflector where thenumber of sides is at least equal to two. In the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention shown in FIG. 1, two of the light sources, 100 a,are white light enclosed in a six-sided mirrored reflector 104 and sixother light sources 100 b use colored filters or colored lights. Thelight sources produce light that is visible to the user's eye including,but not limited to, red, orange, yellow, violet, blue and green. Thewavelengths of the light are generally between 400 nanometers and 800nanometers. The light source, or light sources, are coupled to thesubstantially dark space 45 by placing the light source, or lightsources, anywhere within the substantially dark space or the light maybe transmitted by transmitting light into the substantially dark space45 by some method, such as, for example, a fiber optic. Preferably, thelight source, or sources, 100 are mounted on the enclosure module 40 ina way that light reaches the substantially dark space 45. Morepreferably, the light sources are mounted above the user. Further, thelight source, or light sources, may be controlled individually or ingroups by actuating switches. Preferably, the actuating switch can varythe intensity and duration of the selectively energized light or lightsources. More preferably, each light source has a separate actuatingswitch for varying the light source intensity.

[0026] The substantially dark space 45 may also have a temperaturemoderation device 110. Such temperature moderation devices include, butare not limited to, for example, a fan, a heater and an air conditioner.The temperature moderation device may also provide ventilation for theuser. FIG. 1 shows a hole 110 inserted in the second side 80 which canaccommodate a fan as a temperature moderation device. Such devices couldbe mounted or equipped with light baffles to prevent unnecessary lightfrom entering the substantially dark space 45.

[0027] The present invention also includes at least one sound generator120 having at least two outputs 122 that are connected to thetransducers 20. The sound generator 120 may be any sort of device thatgenerates an electrical output which may be converted into acousticvibrations. Examples of some types of sound generators include, but arenot limited to, stereo systems, radio receivers, phonographs, compactdisc players, tape recorders and players, cable box decoders, satellitesignal capturing devices, televisions, video cassette recorders,Internet connecting devices, etc. The sound generator 120 includeseither an internal or external amplifier to actuate the transducers. Forexample, FIG. 1 shows a stereo system 120 including an externalamplifier 126. The sound generator 120 may be placed anywhere, but inone preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sound generator120 may be placed on the top 50 of the enclosure module 40 and acovering unit may be made to cover the sound generator 120.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the acoustic vibrations produced by each ofthe transducers are directed upward through a mat 30 towards either theright side or left side of a user. The mat 30 may be of any porousmaterial which allows the frequency vibrations to reach the user.Examples of some types of material that the mat may be composed ofinclude, but are not limited to, polyethylene foam, sponge, cotton, andother foam rubbers and plastics, etc. The mat 30 may also have acovering that does not substantially reduce the frequency vibrations.The mat provides a cushion on which the user may lay on either theuser's front or the user's back with the midline of the body of the usersubstantially between the right and left transducers.

[0029] Controls for the sound generator and the actuating switches maybe accessible to the user or may be controlled outside the substantiallydark space 45. Preferably, the right transducer, or transducers, and theleft transducer, or transducers, may be proportionally controlled. Anexample of proportional control is balance between the right transducer,or transducers, and the left transducer or transducers. More preferably,the right transducer, or transducers, as a set, and the left transducer,or transducers, as a set, may be controlled using separate controls.Most preferably, each transducer may be controlled using a separatecontrol. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention usingcontrols, the lights may be selectively energized for duration and lightintensity by an actuating switch.

[0030] The present invention may also employ a controller to control thesound generator or generators, one or more light sources, or both. Thecontroller may be either a specifically designed device or a generalpurpose computer employing a software program to control delivery of thefrequency vibrations to the user. In another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the controller may control any combination of thelights or the right and left transducers. The lights and the right andleft transducers may also be controlled in a related manner such thatthe acoustic vibrations and light are coordinated to stimulate theuser's brain.

[0031] Further, the present invention may also incorporate an aromadevice to simulate the olfactory of the user (also known as the nose).

[0032] Whereas, a specific preferred embodiment of the present inventionhas been described, it will be understood that variations andmodifications may be made without departure from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A therapeutic light and sound system comprising:a support structure having a longitudinal centerline, a top side, and abottom side for supporting a user; at least two transducers arranged onopposite sides of the longitudinal centerline for producing acousticalvibrations substantially directed to the right side and left side of theuser and each transducer does not intersect the longitudinal centerline;and an enclosure module coupled to at least one light source, said atleast one light source comprising visible light.
 2. The therapeuticlight and sound system according to claim 1 wherein said enclosuremodule forms a substantially dark space for at least one eye of theuser.
 3. The therapeutic light and sound system according to claim 1,further comprising a sound generator for actuating said at least twotransducers.
 4. The therapeutic light and sound system according toclaim 1, wherein said at least two transducers operate between about 10Hz and 25,000 Hz.
 5. The therapeutic light and sound system according toclaim 4, wherein said at least two transducers operate between about 30Hz and 20,000 Hz.
 6. The therapeutic light and sound system according toclaim 1, wherein said at least two transducers each comprises at leastone speaker.
 7. The therapeutic light and sound system according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one attenuating barrier locatedbetween transducers arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinalcenterline.
 8. The therapeutic light and sound system according to claim1, wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one lightsource selected from the group consisting of an incandescent bulb, afluorescent light, a display terminal and combinations thereof.
 9. Thetherapeutic light and sound system according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one light source comprises simulated sunlight.
 10. The therapeuticlight and sound system according to claim 1, further comprising a colorfilter which functions in conjunction with said at least one lightsource.
 11. The therapeutic light and sound system according to claim 1,wherein said at least one light source delivers light to said user in arange of from about 400 nanometers to about 800 nanometers.
 12. Thetherapeutic light and sound system according to claim 1, wherein eachsaid at least one light source is separately controlled by at least oneactuating switch which separately controls at least intensity of eachlight source.
 13. A method of therapeutic treatment of a user having aright and left side using light and sound, comprising the steps of:supporting a user on a support structure having a top side and alongitudinal centerline, and including at least one right transducerarranged below the user's body corresponding to the user's right sideand having at least one left transducer arranged below the user's bodycorresponding to the user's left side; transmitting acousticalvibrations from right transducers substantially to the right side of theuser's body and transmitting acoustical vibrations from the lefttransducers substantially to the left side of the user's body; andproviding an enclosure module which couples to at least one light sourcewhich comprises visible light.
 14. The method of therapeutic treatmentusing light and sound according to claim 13, further comprising the stepof generating the acoustical vibrations using a sound generator.
 15. Themethod of therapeutic treatment using light and sound according to claim14, further comprising controlling the sound generator and at least oneselectively energized light source using a controller.
 16. A therapeuticlight and sound system comprising: a support structure comprising alongitudinal centerline and a top side for supporting a user having aright side and a left side; at least one right transducer arranged onthe support structure for transmitting acoustic vibrations tosubstantially the right side of the user; at least one left transducerarranged on the support structure for transmitting acoustic vibrationsto substantially the left side of the user; and an enclosure modulecoupled to at least one light source comprising visible light.
 17. Thetherapeutic light and sound system according to claim 16, wherein saidenclosure module forms a substantially dark space for at least one eyeof the user.
 18. The therapeutic light and sound system according toclaim 16, wherein said at least two transducers operate between about 10Hz and 25,000 Hz.
 19. The therapeutic light and sound system accordingto claim 16, wherein said at least one light source delivers light tosaid user in a range of from about 400 nanometers to about 800nanometers.
 20. The therapeutic light and sound system according toclaim 16, wherein each said at least one light source is separatelycontrolled by at least one actuating switch which separately controls atleast intensity of each light source.